Back to Genesis 41

Genesis 41:37-57

The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city. Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

World English Bible · Public Domain

Read all of Genesis 41 →

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

    Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

    Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you.

    You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

    Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

    Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.

    He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt.

    Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

    Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

    Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

    In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly.

    He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city.

    Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.

    To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.

    Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.”

    The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

    The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end.

    The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

    When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.”

    The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

    All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

  • KJV King James Version

    And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

    Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

    And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

    And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

    And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

    And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

    And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

    And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

    And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

    And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.

    And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

    And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

    And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.

    And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

    And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

    And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

    And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Show all 3 translations
  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants: 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the spirit of God is?'

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph: 'Forasmuch as God hath shown thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou.

    Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.'

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph: 'See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.'

    And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.

    And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him: 'Abrech'; and he set him over all the land of Egypt.

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph: 'I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.'

    And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. —

    And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. — And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

    And in the seven years of plenty the earth brought forth in heaps.

    And he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

    And Joseph laid up corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until they left off numbering; for it was without number.

    And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On bore unto him.

    And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: 'for God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.'

    And the name of the second called he Ephraim: 'for God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.'

    And the seven years of plenty, that was in the land of Egypt, came to an end.

    And the seven years of famine began to come, according as Joseph had said; and there was famine in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

    And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians: 'Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.'

    And the famine was over all the face of the earth; and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt.

    And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn; because the famine was sore in all the earth.

View more translations →

Examined in Scripture Analysis

Contradictions (1)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • Do seed time and harvest ever cease?

Explore Contradictions →

Cross-references (166)

  • Job 32:8 (v38) But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.
  • Daniel 5:14 (v38) I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you.
  • Numbers 27:18 (v38) Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
  • Daniel 5:11 (v38) There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom,…
  • Genesis 49:22 (v52) “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.
Show all 100 cross-references
  • Daniel 4:18 (v38) “This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom…
  • Daniel 5:29 (vv40, 42) Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning…
  • Daniel 5:7 (v42) The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon,…
  • Proverbs 22:29 (vv40, 41, 46) Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
  • Esther 3:10 (v42) The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
  • Matthew 28:18 (v41) Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
  • Acts 7:10 (vv37, 40, 43, 52) and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt…
  • Genesis 46:20 (vv45, 50) To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
  • Genesis 48:5 (vv50–51) Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as…
  • Genesis 50:23 (v52) Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.
  • Psalms 30:5 (v51) For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
  • Acts 7:11 (v54) Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.
  • Philippians 2:9-11 (v41) Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,…
  • Genesis 42:6 (vv41, 43, 56) Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down…
  • Daniel 6:3 (vv38, 40, 41) Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king…
  • Genesis 17:6 (v52) I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
  • Genesis 41:28 (v39) That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.
  • Genesis 41:33 (v39) “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
  • Genesis 45:11 (v54) There I will provide for you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you…
  • Esther 8:2 (v42) The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
  • Psalms 105:16 (v54) He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.
  • Psalms 105:21-22 (v40) He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions, to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders…
  • Daniel 5:16 (v42) But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its…
  • Genesis 41:30 (vv51, 54) Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land,
  • Genesis 45:26 (vv40, 43) They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them.
  • Genesis 26:12 (v47) Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Yahweh blessed him.
  • Genesis 39:4-6 (v40) Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his…
  • Genesis 41:25 (v39) Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.
  • Genesis 45:8 (v43) So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land…
  • Genesis 45:8-9 (v40) So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land…
  • Esther 8:10 (v42) He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal…
  • Esther 8:15 (v42) Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine…
  • Psalms 2:12 (v40) Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who…
  • Proverbs 31:7 (v51) Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
  • Daniel 1:19 (v46) The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the…
  • Genesis 28:3 (v52) May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples,
  • Genesis 41:16 (v39) Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
  • Genesis 41:54 (v57) The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was…
  • Genesis 41:56 (v57) The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in…
  • Genesis 42:1 (v57) Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”
  • Genesis 42:5 (v57) The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
  • Genesis 42:30 (v43) “The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country.
  • Genesis 42:33 (v43) The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain…
  • Deuteronomy 33:17 (v51) Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd. His horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of…
  • 1 Kings 12:6 (v46) King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give…
  • Esther 3:12 (v42) Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to…
  • Esther 8:8 (v42) Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the…
  • Psalms 30:11 (v51) You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
  • Psalms 78:27 (v49) He also rained meat on them as the dust, winged birds as the sand of the seas.
  • Psalms 105:17-18 (v52) He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,
  • Psalms 105:22 (v44) to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.
  • Proverbs 31:22 (v42) She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  • Proverbs 31:24 (v42) She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
  • Song of Solomon 1:10 (v42) Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.
  • Isaiah 40:1-2 (v52) “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that…
  • Jeremiah 14:1-6 (v55) This is Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought. “Judah mourns, and its gates languish. They sit in black on the ground.…
  • Ezekiel 27:7 (v42) Your sail was of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt, that it might be to you for a banner. Blue and purple from the islands of…
  • Daniel 2:46-48 (v40) Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odors to him.…
  • Daniel 4:2-3 (v41) It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me. How great are his signs! How mighty are…
  • Daniel 4:6 (v38) Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the…
  • Daniel 4:8-9 (v38) But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the…
  • Amos 6:6 (v52) who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
  • Matthew 3:17 (v55) Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
  • Matthew 17:5 (v55) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved…
  • Philippians 2:10 (v43) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
  • 2 Samuel 8:18 (vv45, 50) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers.
  • Esther 10:3 (vv41–42) For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good…
  • Genesis 22:17 (v49) that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the…
  • Genesis 29:32-35 (v52) Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction; for now my husband…
  • Genesis 30:6-13 (v52) Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. Bilhah, Rachel’s…
  • Genesis 37:2 (v46) This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy…
  • Genesis 39:5 (v41) From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.…
  • Genesis 39:22 (v41) The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible…
  • Genesis 41:3-4 (v54) Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. The…
  • Genesis 41:6-7 (v54) Behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven…
  • Genesis 41:27 (v54) The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind;…
  • Genesis 41:29-31 (v53) Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the…
  • Genesis 41:34-36 (v48) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven…
  • Genesis 41:40-41 (v55) You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh…
  • Genesis 41:44 (v41) Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”
  • Genesis 41:45 (v50) Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over…
  • Genesis 42:2 (v54) He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.”
  • Genesis 42:5-6 (v54) The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Joseph was the governor over the land. It…
  • Genesis 43:1 (v54) The famine was severe in the land.
  • Genesis 47:13 (v54) There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan fainted by reason of…
  • Genesis 47:14-24 (v56) Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought: and…
  • Genesis 48:13-14 (v51) Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and…
  • Genesis 48:16-19 (v52) the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and…
  • Genesis 48:18-20 (v51) Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” His father refused, and said,…
  • Genesis 50:20 (v57) As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.
  • Exodus 2:16 (v45) Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
  • Exodus 11:7 (v44) But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that Yahweh…
  • Deuteronomy 9:28 (v57) lest the land you brought us out from say, ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring them into the land which he promised to them, and because…
  • Joshua 22:30 (v37) When Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the…
  • Judges 6:5 (v49) For they came up with their livestock and their tents. They came in as locusts for multitude. Both they and their camels were without…

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (166 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 46, 50, 53, 55 38. Can we find such a one as this?…

38. Can we find such a one as this? We see that necessity is an excellent teacher. If prefects or judges are to be created, some one is advanced to the honor because he is a favorite, without consideration of his desert; whence it happens that they who are most unworthy frequently creep into office. And although we see political order disturbed and mankind involved in many inconveniences, because they who are least suitable, rashly push themselves, by wicked contrivances, into affairs for which they are not able to manage; nevertheless, ambition triumphs, and subverts equity. But necessity extorts a sober judgment. Pharaoh says nothing but what is naturally engraven on the hearts of all men, that honors ought to be conferred on none but competent persons, and such as God has furnished with the necessary qualifications. Experience, however, abundantly teaches, that this law of nature slips from the memory, whenever men are free to offend against it with impunity. Therefore the pride of Pharaoh was wisely so subdued, that he, setting aside ambition, preferred a foreigner just brought out of prison, to all his courtiers, because he excelled them in virtue. The same necessity restrained the nobles of the kingdom, so that they did not each contend, according to their custom, to obtain the priority of rank for themselves. And although it was but a compulsory modesty, inasmuch as they were ashamed to resist the public good; yet there is no doubt, that God inspired them with fear, so that, by the common consent of all, Joseph was made president of the whole kingdom. It is also to be observed that Pharaoh, though he had been infatuated by his soothsayers, nevertheless honors the gifts of the spirit in Joseph: because God, indeed, never suffers man to become so brutalized, as not to feel his power, even in their darkness. And therefore whatever impious defection may hurry them away, there still abides with them a remaining sense of Deity. Meanwhile, that knowledge is of little worth, which does not correct a man’s former madness; for he despises the God whom with his mouth he proclaims: and has no conception of any other than I know not what confused divinity. This kind of knowledge often enlightens profane men, yet not so as to cause them to repent. Whereby we are admonished to regard any particular principle as of small value, till solid piety springs from it and flourishes.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 51, 54, 57 None should be preferred to honor that have not…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv37–57 Gen 41:37 And the thing was good in the…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 54, 55 Or, of the gods, in his heathen language. One…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v46 Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv37–52 Thou shall be over my house,...., Have the care…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv44, 50, 54 Without thee shall no man lift up his hand…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 54, 55, 56, 57 Verse 37. The thing was good] Pharaoh and his…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 54 Gen 41:40. According to thy word — Thy direction…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 51, 52, 55, 57 God. Hebrew, of the gods Elohim. Pharao was probably…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53, 57 JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT. (Gen. 41:37-57)
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 51 JOSEPH MADE OVERSEER OF EGYPT, Gem 41:37-57.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57 37–46. Joseph as Grand Vizier
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 48, 51, 52, 54 (38) In whom the Spirit of God is.—Joseph from…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv37, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 Vers. 37, 38. And the thing was good in…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv37, 45, 46, 51, 53 Pharaoh said unto his servants: Can we find such…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v37 Gen_41:37-57, Gen_47:13-26
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv37, 46, 53 Gen_41:40. According unto thy word shall all my people…
F. W. Grant 1903 · Public Domain On v50 Section 4. (Gen 41:50-57; Gen 42:1-38; Gen 43:1-34; Gen…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v38 Gen 41:38 - Gen 41:48.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v45 Asenath, the Gentile bride espoused by Joseph the rejected…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv37, 46, 53 Joseph Made Ruler over all Egypt
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv37, 39, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55 This advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv37, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 50, 53 41:37-40 Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was the man for…
Share